Santa Anita: Vagabond Shoes, stakes winner in U.S. and Europe, euthanized
ARCADIA, Calif. - Trainer John Sadler paid tribute to Vagabond Shoes, who was euthanized on Saturday after suffering a cannon bone injury to his left hind leg earlier in the day in the $196,250 San Luis Rey Stakes at Santa Anita.
Vagabond Shoes was racing last in the field of five when he was pulled up by jockey Victor Espinoza. A 7-year-old gelding, Vagabond Shoes was euthanized shortly after being taken off the racetrack, according to track stewards.
“We’re shocked right now,” Sadler said. “We’re just stunned. Victor said he heard a pop on the backstretch.
“He was such a good horse.”
Owned by Hronis Racing while running in the United States, Vagabond Shoes won 8 of 30 starts and earned $665,747, racing in Spain, France, Turkey, Dubai, Germany, and California.
He won twice in Spain in 2010 before being sent to France where he won the Group 3 Prix Messidor at Maisons-Laffitte in 2011, and the Group 3 Prix du Chemin de Fer du Nord at Chantilly in 2012. In Dubai, Vagabond Shoes ran three times in early 2012, including a third in a $120,000 handicap at Meydan.
After a third in the Group 2 Oettingen-Rennen at Baden-Baden, Germany, in August 2012, Vagabond Shoes was purchased for approximately $125,000 by French bloodstock agent Hubert Guy at the Arqana Arc sale.
The gelding joined Sadler’s stable that fall, and made his United States debut with a ninth in the Grade 2 Arcadia Stakes at Santa Anita in February 2013.
Vagabond Shoes lost his next four starts, including second-place finishes in an optional claimer at Hollywood Park last May and the Grade 1 Eddie Read Stakes at Del Mar last July, before winning the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap last August. Vagabond Shoes was second in the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship at Santa Anita last September, and fifth, beaten 2 1/4 lengths, in the Breeders’ Cup Turf last November. Vagabond Shoes had one start earlier this year, a win in the Grade 2 San Marcos Stakes over 1 1/4 miles on turf on Feb. 8.